Police shut 400 drug lines as 89 dealers jailed

More than 400 drug lines have been closed across the West Midlands, with the dealers behind them jailed for a total of 545 years.

West Midlands Police's county lines taskforce said it made hundreds of arrests between April 2025 and March 2026, recovering almost £500,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In total 418 drug lines were shut down and 89 criminals jailed - including two dealers who were behind a Class A Frankie line into Birmingham city centre, Balsall Heath, Moseley and Selly Oak.

The phone number associated with the drug line had received more than 81,000 calls, made 28,000 calls and sent and received 25,000 text messages between August 2023 and October 2024.

The force said dealers use phone lines to send out mass messages to potential customers showing the availability of drugs and prices.

In some cases they use vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, to help distribute the drugs.

The taskforce worked alongside other departments, such as neighbourhood teams across our seven local policing areas, to build up information and tackle the supply lines.

Det Insp Mark Robinson said the taskforce will continue to "target, disrupt and destroy" this type of criminal activity.

He said: "We are committed to shutting down drug networks and putting those who run them behind bars.

"It's very clear the taskforce is making a real impact in tackling the scourge of drugs which not only ruin lives, but also contribute to other crimes to fund habits.

"We've managed to close down hundreds of lines and ensure dealers have been taken off the streets for a long time."

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